Vancouver for Children

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is a great attraction located about an hour’s drive from downtown Vancouver. It has a tiger, hippos, lions, bears, zebras and more!

The zoo features a wide range of animals, including both North American creatures and more exotic ones. It also has nice large enclosures for the animals, and accessible pathways for people in wheelchairs and strollers. There is a miniature train that takes guests around the park too.

To learn about the attraction, either continue reading or visit gvzoo.com.

SPRING BREAK AT THE ZOO

Special events take place at the zoo during the Spring Break school holidays, which in 2026 run from March 14th until the 29th. Between those dates, a number of extra fun things happen at the zoo.

On weekdays between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, for example, there are special guest fairies and superheroes for kids to meet. Every day it’s a different character, from Snow White and Cinderella to Spiderman and The Dark Hero. Also happening daily, there are Animal Spotlights sessions where a different animal is showcased by one or more of the zoo keepers.

Also at the zoo during Spring Break are face painting, games and craft activities. Families can see the dinosaur displays in the Mesozoic Adventure area too, or get up close to wallabies and kangaroos on weekends in the Wallaby Walkthrough.

To learn more about what’s happening during Spring Break at the zoo, see the gvzoo.com website.

Lunar New Year at the Zoo

This article includes the following information about the Vancouver Zoo:

Hours and Location | Admission Rates | Events | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove

We recommend the Greater Vancouver Zoo as a best place to visit for everyone, but especially for families with young children. As far as zoos go, this one is definitely worth a visit.

At the Vancouver Zoo, for the most part, the animals have large enclosures, which is great for the animals plus good for visitors – lots of healthy walking!

There’s a fine selection of animals at the zoo including creatures native to BC like the cougar, mountain goat, wolf and black bears. On your visit you can also see hippos, African lions, a Siberian tiger, zebras, jaguars, ostriches, an emu, and many other animals. There is also a miniature train, plus educational presentations. It’s an exceptional place to take young children!

For full details about the attraction, visit the Greater Vancouver Zoo‘s website.

Zoo Hours and Location

As of early 2026, the zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (although once you’re inside you can stay until 5:00 pm). The only day it’s close is Christmas Day. (Note: Hours of operation may vary. At some times of the year it stays open for longer.)

The zoo is located at 5048-264th Street in Aldergrove, at the eastern edge of Langley in the Fraser Valley. It’s about an hour’s drive from Vancouver when traffic is good.

You’ll need a car to get to the zoo as there is no public transit. Parking costs $8 per vehicle.

Girl on Zoo Elephant Statue — An Elephant Statue at the Zoo (from years ago)

Vancouver Zoo Admission Rates

Below are the Greater Vancouver Zoo’s admission prices as of January 2026 when you purchase your tickets online.

Adults (ages 18 to 64): $38
Seniors (ages 65+): $27
Students (ages 18+ with ID): $27
Children (ages 3 to 17): $27
Babies & Little Tots (ages 0-2): Free
Train Ride (per person): $10
Parking: $8 for the day

(Note: Rates may vary and they sometimes go up during the busier summer season.)

Adults (ages 18 to 64): $$85
Seniors (ages 65+): $65
Students (ages 18+ with ID): $65
Children (ages 3 to 17): $65
Babies & Little Tots (ages 0-2): Free
Families (with 2 adults and up to 3 children): $275

Note: Family passes are only available with annual memberships, not single day tickets. If you have more than 2 adults in your family, you can add extra children or seniors for $35 per person, or $45 per additional adult.

For tickets and full details about the attraction, visit gvzoo.com.

Events at the Zoo

The Greater Vancouver Zoo hosts some pretty cool events at different times of the year. In December last year, for example, they hosted their first ever Zoo Lights. It was impressive and ran from November 22nd until January 10th.

In the summer the zoo also has its Brew at the Zoo event which is for adults ages 19+. To celebrate both the Lunar New Year and/or Family Day Long Weekend, there is the Spring Festival in February. The zoo hosts events at other times of the year too.

In addition to animals to see and special events like the Spring Festival in February, the Greater Vancouver Zoo also runs day camps for kids. During the school Spring Break holidays in 2026, for example, there is a Youth Camp for children ages 10 to 14 from March 16th to 20th. There is also a Jr. Zoo Camp for children from kindergarten to age 9 during the week of March 23rd to 27. For details, click Zoo Spring Break Camps.

Spring Festival in February

To celebrate both the Family Day Long Weekend and Lunar New Year (and Valentine’s Day too), the zoo hosted a special Spring Festival on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of February 14th to 16th in 2026.

Activities during the Spring Festival included lion dance performances, sugar painting demonstrations, craft activities, and informational talks and workshops about various animals. There was also a cultural marketplace, food trucks and Chinese lantern displays, plus of course all the zoo’s regular awesome animals.

Admission to the festival was included with general admission to the zoo. (TIP: Admission to both the festival and the zoo was FREE on those three dates for anyone who could prove they were born in the Year of the Horse, which includes 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and 2026. For everyone else, regular rates applied.)

For details about the event, click Spring Festival at the Zoo.

Lion Lantern at Vancouver Zoo — Lion Lantern from Zoo Lights at Christmas

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips to help you make the most out of your visit to the Greater Vancouver Zoo.

TIP #1: Take a stroller with you for young children as there can be a lot of walking. It’s a big place! Also consider taking a bicycle for kids who can ride. Getting around on non-motorized wheels is both permitted and fun!

TIP #2: If you get an annual pass you can attend some special events for free, like at Christmas and Lunar New Year. You can also get discounts for other events, like for Brew at the Zoo. Annual pass members also get discounts on registration fees for children’s camps.

TIP #3: Especially if you have young children, go on the train ride. The trip around the perimeter of the property takes about 20 minutes and it only costs about $10.

TIP #4: Plan to spend at least 90 minutes at the zoo, but likely even more. It’s a big place and there is a lot to see.

TIP #5: Tickets are good for one year from date of purchase, and you don’t have to select a day and time when you buy them. Consequently, if you buy your tickets in advance and then change your mind about when you want to go, you can do that no problem. You can just show up on whatever date you want.

TIP #6: You can see lots of animals up fairly close. Some though might be further in the distance (because some of the enclosures are so big, which makes them great for the animals). As a result, kids might have fun using binoculars to see some of the animals in greater detail. Photographers might also want to use a zoom lens for some of their shots.